The City Council, during last Monday’s regular session, approved on first reading a proposed ordinance regulating the use and maintenance of sidewalks and easements and for other purposes.
The council stated that it shall be the responsibility of the owner or dweller, lessee or occupant of a residential or commercial establishment to maintain the sidewalk, curb and gutters and canals fronting their residence or establishment.
Under the proposed ordinance, sidewalks shall refer to roadway assigned for the use of pedestrians which must be free from all forms of physical obstructions or anything found on it, whether of value or not while easements shall be the area situated outside of a private property limits and is classified as a public land such as public domain that should be equally enjoyed by all members of the community.
The council added that the use of sidewalks, easements and other similar public spaces for commercial and personal purposes shall be prohibited, including, but not limited; selling of goods by sidewalk vendors; washing and drying of clothes; vehicles garage; dumping of garbage or litter; construction of pens or cages of animals; storing soft drinks or bottle drinks in cases; storing of household appliances and furniture; storing of junk and recyclable materials; use as storage of construction materials and equipment; house or business extension; installation of permanent fence or gate; use of sidewalks for plat, trees and planters; installation of signs or billboards; parking of vehicles; using of sidewalks for drinking liquor and beverages; drying of rice, corn, tobacco and other agricultural crops and riding motorcycles and scooters.
See more stories:
According to the council, all the aforesaid prohibited activities conducted along sidewalks are declared as nuisance per se and illegal, subject to summary abatement.
Likewise, the council cited that all sidewalk obstructions, including belongings and things found on the same, whether of value or not, shall be presumed or treated as trash, subject for forfeiture and disposal without need of judicial proceedings.
The city and its component barangays will be authorized to summarily abate, forfeit and dispose any obstruction, found within their respective territorial jurisdiction, after proper investigation by the City Engineering Office (CEO), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) and the City Permits and Licensing office, provided that, enforcers of the local government unit and barangay officials shall be free from liability arising from the lawful forfeiture and disposal of sidewalks and setback obstructions as prescribed.
The council stipulated that any person, natural or juridical, corporation, trust, firm, partnership or entity, found violating the pertinent provisions of the measure shall be penalized by rendering community service in the barangay and a fine of P1,000 for the first offense, a fine of P3,000 for the second offense and a fine of P5,000 for the third offense.
The council tasked the City Mayor, through the CEO, the city Public Order and Safety Division, CBAO, City Legal Office, the Baguio City Police Office, and the City Permits and Licensing Office, to prepare the implementing rules and regulations of the ordinance in consultation with the City Planning Office and the DPWH.
By Dexter A. See
Photo by Armando M. Bolislis
You might also like:
